World Cup: Power Rankings after first group games

Last Result: W 2-1 vs. Poland

Next Game: SUN vs. Japan (Ekaterinburg)

Senegal once again won their World Cup opener against a European side with better players. Some officiating mistakes were made but Senegal played better than Poland all game. Group H has been flipped upside down and a win against Japan would see Senegal through to the round of 16.

Last Result: W 1-0 vs. South Korea

Next Game: SAT vs. Germany (Sochi)

Sweden played their game against South Korea. They created a few chances, they defended in formation all game and won 1-0. A classic Zlatan-less Sweden performance and a Germany loss mean Sweden could actually knock the world champions out before the third match. We shall see if Sweden can hand Germany another shocking defeat.

Last Result: L 1-2 vs. Senegal

Next Game: SUN vs. Colombia (Kazan)

Poland drops three spots from the pre-tournament rankings. Robert Lewandowski didn’t touch the ball and Poland made a lot of mistakes. Senegal had a ton of space to create and Poland once again had a flat offensive performance in a major tournament. They must beat Colombia on Sunday.

Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Germany

Next Game: SAT vs. South Korea (Rostov)

The biggest upset of the tournament so far has to be Mexico’s victory over the world champions. Osorio had a plan and the players executed it. El Tri’s counter-attack was deadly and they always had one or two extra attackers running the counter when Germany committed men forward. The win means Mexico’s chances of progression are much higher.

Last Result: D 1-1 vs. Brazil

Next Game: FRI vs. Serbia (Kaliningrad)

The Swiss tied Brazil to open the World Cup. A set-piece goal earned them the point and some okay defense at the end. They move up one spot and are ahead of Mexico. Why? Brazil played better than Germany did. Switzerland earned the point while Brazil played okay while Mexico won with Germany playing awful.

Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Egypt

Next Game: WED vs. Saudi Arabia (Rostov)

While Luis Suarez was off-form, Edinson Cavani had two great chances to score against Egypt. He was unlucky in his efforts and it seemed like Uruguay would draw 0-0. Jose Gimenez came to the rescue and Uruguay are in a perfect position to qualify for the round of 16. The partnership of Diego Godin and Gimenez is unmatched in the whole world.

Last Result: L 1-2 vs. Japan

Next Game: SUN vs. Poland (Kazan)

Colombia stays in the top ten ahead of Uruguay. Colombia was the better team against Japan despite having fewer men for close to the entirety of the game. Even without James Rodriguez on the field in the first half, Los Cafeteros had chance after chance against Japan. They played better than Poland and will be the favorite to beat the Europeans in a must win on Sunday in Kazan.

Last Result: W 2-1 vs. Tunisia

Next Game: SUN vs. Panama (Novgorod)

The Three Lions played a game of two halves. In the first-half, they were running at the Tunisian players and looked like a different team. In the second-half, they were once again relying on the wingbacks to generate all the offense. Kieran Trippier and Ashley Young did everything and Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard did nothing. Harry Kane saved England at the death to get the win. More offense through the middle and England can actually make a run.